CVE-2014-6674 in Amazighmusic
Summary
by MITRE
The Amazighmusic (aka nl.appsandroo.Amazighmusic) application 1.0 for Android does not verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6674 affects the Amazighmusic Android application version 1.0, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's approach to network security and certificate validation mechanisms. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates when establishing SSL connections with remote servers, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation in secure communications. This weakness directly enables man-in-the-middle attacks by allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that the application will accept without proper verification.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's SSL/TLS handshake process where certificate validation is either completely bypassed or inadequately performed. When an Android application establishes a secure connection using SSL/TLS, it should validate the server's certificate against trusted certificate authorities and verify that the certificate matches the expected hostname. In this case, the Amazighmusic application fails to perform these critical validation steps, making it susceptible to attacks where malicious actors can intercept communications and present fake certificates. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.001 which describes the use of unencrypted communication channels or weak encryption to capture data. This vulnerability particularly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between the mobile application and remote servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to potentially compromise user privacy and sensitive information. Mobile applications that fail to properly validate SSL certificates create an environment where attackers can access user data, session tokens, authentication credentials, and personal information transmitted over the network. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to provide secure communication channels, undermining the fundamental security assumptions that users expect from mobile applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform session hijacking, steal user authentication information, or inject malicious content into the communication stream. The implications are particularly severe for applications handling sensitive user data or financial information, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly during application usage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. Developers should implement certificate pinning techniques to ensure that only specific certificates or certificate authorities are accepted for validation. The application should be updated to perform comprehensive X.509 certificate validation including hostname verification, certificate chain validation, and trust store verification. Security patches should enforce proper SSL/TLS configuration settings and implement certificate revocation checking to prevent the acceptance of compromised certificates. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous certificate behavior and establish secure communication protocols that align with industry standards such as those defined by NIST SP 800-52 for secure socket layer implementation. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper cryptographic implementation in mobile application development, particularly when handling sensitive user data and establishing secure communication channels.